Sewing machine



May 2, 1950 H. J. LE VESCONTE El AL SEWING momma Original Filed Oct. 12, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS #42042 Z2: l'SCd/VTE By HLBERTIKS'CWIVATF ATTGRZYEY' m W 23 a R w 7 T u R A 7 w:

May 2, 1950 Original Filed Oct. 12, 1944 May 2, 1950 H. J. LE VESCONTE ET AL SEWING MACHINE Original Filed" Oct.

7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVEN T0125 Meow JZE ksca/vrs BY flflffif/ZSGWWEDH .May 2,v 1950 H. J. LE VESCONTE ET AL SEWING MACHINE I 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed Oct. 12, 1944 Reissues] May SEWING MACHINE Harold J. Le Vesconte, Glendale, Calif., and Albert M. Schweda, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Union Special Machine Company, Chicago, Ill.,'a corporation of Illinois Original No. 2,444,657, dated July 6, 1948, Serial No. 558,322, October 12, 1944.

Application ior reissue May 26, 1949, Serial No. 95,567

25 Claims.

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets II appears in the original patent but forms no reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue 1 This invention relates to a sewing machine and more particularly to an improved sewing machine oi the type having feed wheels rotatable about substantially parallel axes for supporting and ieeding fabrics to the stitch-forming mechanism and generalw known as a cup-feed sewing machine.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine 01' the above type wherein the main drive shaft and the principal actuating mechanism for the feed wheels are positioned above the feed wheels and are so arranged as not to hinder or in any way obstruct the operator in the manipulation and handling of the fabric or fabrics being stitched.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cup-feed type of sewing machine with a suitable and simple actuating mechanism including a vertically disposed 'main shaft and enclosed devices coupled to and operated by the main shait for imparting rotational movement to the feed wheels. The disposition of the main drive shaft vertically or parallel with the axes of the feed cups serves to simplify the connection with a motor or other suitable source of power.

Another object of the invention is to .provide a sewing machine of the character indicated above wherein the relative position of the outer feed wheel and the loop-taker oi the stitchiorming mechanism is maintained under various operating conditions, such as different thicknesses of the work.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cup-feed type of sewing machine having feed wheels so constructed and arranged that their axes of rotation remain substantially parallel irrespective of variations in thickness of the work being sewn.

Another object of the invention is the provision 01' a cup-feed type of sewing machine having a reciprocating thread carrying needle that is adapted to cooperate with a complementary stitch-iorming device mounted within one of the wheels.

Another object or the invention is to .pro-' vide a machine 01 the above type so constructed as to permit coaxial operation of a thread manipulating element with one of the feed wheels within which it is disposed.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a cup-feed sewing machine of the fore going type wherein the principal actuating devices are contained and supported in a substantially oil-tight housing.

A still further object of the invention resides part of this in the provision of a lubricating system in which lubricant pumping or distributing means is responsive to movement of one of the feed wheels toward and away from the other for transmitting lubricant to the .principal bearing or relatively sliding surfaces of the actuating devices.

With the view of accomplishing the foregoing objects, the sewing machine of this invention comprises a housing consisting of an upstanding base having a laterally extending bracket. The housing may be adjustably supported on a vertical column by means of a suitable clamping and bracket arrangement.

A pair of feed wheels, constituting an outer feed wheel and an inner feed wheel, are attached to and rotatable with a pair of corresponding vertical shafts which are carried by and depend from the housing bracket. The axis of the shaft of the outer feed wheel is fixed, while the axis of the shaft of the inner feed wheel is movable about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of both shafts, permitting movement of the inner feed wheel toward and away from the outer feed wheel. Means are provided for normally and yieldingly moving the inner .feed wheel toward the outer feed wheel, said feed wheels being maintained a predetermined minimum distance apart. Means, either manual or otherwise operable at will, are also provided for moving the inner feed wheel away from the outer feed wheel against the action of said yielding means. The feed wheels cooperate with a reciprocating thread carrying needle and a looper that is oscillatable about the axis of the outer feed wheel for forming stitches in various fabrics.

The actuating mechanism of this invention includes a vertical main shaft which is coupled to and operates various driving devices supported within the housing. Among the driving devices are suitable eccentrics, linkages, gearing, and a one-way clutch for operating the intermittent feed mechanism, all so constructed and arranged as to actuate the feed wheels, the reciprocating needle and the oscillatory looper in predetermined timed relation to the rotation of the main shaft.

One of the features of this invention resides in the provision of a pumping system responsive to movement of the inner feed wheel, toward and away from the outer feed wheel, for transmitting lubricant to various devices within the housing. The preferred and recommended type of pumping system contemplates a positive displacement .pump wholly contained within the housing and having at least a portion thereof disposed in a sump or reservoir'formed in the base portion of the housing. Lubricating oil or the like is transmitted by the pump through a discharge conduit and appropriate branch conduits to various mechanical connectionswithin the housing, as will be readily understood from an examination of the drawings.

The above enumerated objects and features, as well as others, together with the advantages attainable by the practice of this invention, will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the following detailed descripcam tion, taken in conjunction with the annexed Y drawings which respectively describe and illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and modifications thereof, and wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a staggered vertical sectional view of the machine of Fig. l with parts omitted;

Fig. 3 is a view of the illustrative machine, partly in top plan with the top cover plate removed and partly in horizontal section, certain parts being omitted;

Pig. 4 is a transverse vertical section taken along the broken line H of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the feed cups and related parts taken in horizontal section along line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 0-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a staggered vertical sectional view, similar to Fig. 2 but taken along different planes, illustrating particularly the lubricating system;

Fig. 8 is a view, partly in top plan and partly in horizontal section, of the illustrative machine, certain parts being broken away or omitted;

Fig. 9 is a staggered vertical sectional view, similar to Fig. 2, illustrating modifications of certain elements depicted in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating a presser member in relation to the feed ill Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the sewing machine of this invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 as being supported on a tubular cylindrical column II which carries a vertically adjustable bracket sleeve II that is provided with a lug l3 having a horizontal bore i4. Bracket sleeve i2 is vertically slidable with respect to column II and may be adjustably secured thereto by set screws, not shown, or in any other manner known to the art. A supporting rod or bracket is extends through bore It in the lug and is secured thereto by means of a set screw IS. The housing of the sewing machine, generally indicated by reference numeral I1, is provided witha lug I8 having a horizontal bore i9 extending therethrough for receiving supporting rod- IS. A stop collar is aiiixed to supporting rod l5 and serves to space housing H from column II. A hand lever 22 is connected to and operates a locking device, the details of which are not shown, for securing lug II to rod II.

Sewing machine housing ll consists of an upstanding base 23 having a bottom wall 24 and side walls 25, which form an oil sump or reservoir in thebottom of the base, and a laterally pro- 'jecting' overhanging hollow arm or bracket 26.

The housing is provided with a readily removable rear cover plate 21 and a top cover plate II. A bearing support is is preferably formed in- 4 tegral with overhanging bracket 26 at its outer end and projects downwardly therefrom.

A substantially vertical main shaft It extends through the top of housing I1 and terminates at its upper end above said top and at its lower end within said housing. The lower end of shaft II is rotatable in a bearing sleeve or bushing ll that is supported by a lug 32, while the,upper part of the shaft is rotatable in an upper bearing sleeve or bushing ll that is carried by a removable piug 3| which is secured to the housing by screws II (Fig. 2). A pair of collars 38 and 31 secured to shaft II and abutting the upper end of sleeve bearing Ii and the lower end of sleeve bearing 33, respectively, restrain the shaft against axial movement. Attached to the upper end of shaft II by a set screw II is a drive pulley 3! which is secured to a hand wheel I by a screw ll (Fig. 4). A V-belt 42 (Fig. 1) cooperates with drive pulley a and delivers power thereto from an appropriate driving unit, not shown, for imparting rotation to main shaft iii.

Mounted on shaft II and rotatable therewith is an eccentric assembly 45 that may be of the type disclosed in the patent to George Sauer, No. 2,189,656, granted February 6, 1940, and that includes an adjustable eccentric 46, a collar or eccentric operating or adjusting member 41, notched at 48, as best shown in Fig. 3, and a spring pressed plunger 4!. When it is desired to adjust eccentric 4i, plunger II is pressed inwardly against the action of a compression spring SI and hand wheel ll is manually actuated to rotate shaft it until plunger 48 engages notch 4s, whereupon further rotation of the hand wheel and shaft 3| will turn the latter with respect to eccentric II. This. due to the construction, will shift the eccentric diametrically one way or the other to increase or decrease its eccentricity with respect to the shaft as desired, and as is more fully explained in said Sauer patent. A connecting rod ll, adjustable in length, carries at one end a strap 52 that embraces eccentric 46 and at its opposite end a second strap or split hearing 53 that surrounds a ball stud 54 connected to and projecting upwardly from an arm 55 which extends laterally of a clutch mechanism generally designated by numeral 5i. Clutch mechanism 56 is adapted to impart intermittent rotary movement in one direction to a vertical shaft 51 and may be of any type known to the art such as, for example, the type disclosed in the patent to W. B. Long, et al. No. 1,692,130, granted November 20, 1928.. It is deemed sufficient for the purposes of this description to point out that upon rotation of main shaft 30, eccentric Iii coacts with the strap of connecting rod ii to impart oscillatory movement to arm 55, which oscillatory movement is translated into intermittent so rotary movement of shaft 51 in one direction by clutch mechanism 56. A driving gear 58 having a hub 50 is secured to the upper end of shaft 51 by one or more set screws iii.

A driven gear ii meshing with driving gear 58 and having a corresponding hub 62 is secured by set screws 63 to the upper end of a vertical shaft 6|. Shaft 64 is rotatable in a pair of spaced bearings, namely, an upper sleeve or bushing 65 that is carried by a lug t6 projecting laterally within overhanging bracket II, and a lower sleeve or hollow shaft 1 disposed within and extending below bearing support 29. Sleeve 61 is rotatable within bearing support 2! but is restrained from axial movement by a collar I, secured thereto by set screws I! and abutting the lower end of bearing support 28, and by a collar I8 clamped to the upper end of sleeve 81 and abutting the upp r end of bearing support 28. Attached to the lower end of shaft 84 is a wheel II constituting the outer feed wheel or feed cup of this invention and preferably having its peripheral surface serrated or otherwise roughened. A split collar 12 is connected to the lower end of sleeve 61 by a clamp screw 88, as is best shown in Figs. 5 and 10, and has a looper l4 adjustably attached thereto by set screws 85. A radially adjustable needle guard 18 Is also attached to collar I2 by a screw 11.

An arm 88 projecting laterally from collar" and Integral therewith is provided with an upwardly extending ball stud 8| at its free end. A connecting rod 82, adjustable in length, is provided at one end with a strap 88 that is coupled to bail stud 8i and at its other end with a second strap 84 that is coupled to a ball stud 85 which is carried by a lever 88. One end of lever 85 pivotally embraces a vertical hollow shaft 81 mounted in a pair of inwardly projecting lugs 88 and 88 integral with a wall of housing I1. A ball stud 88 projects upwardly from lever 86 intermediate its ends and is coupled to a strap 8| of a pitman 82 that carries a second strap 88 which embraces an eccentric 94 secured to shaft 38 and rotatable therewith.

From the foregoing, taken in conjunction with Figs. 2 and 3, it will be observed that upon rotation of shaft 88, oscillatory movement is imparted to sleeve 61 and thence to looper I4 and needle guard I8 through the coaction of eccentric 84, pitman 82, ball stud 88, lever 86, ball stud 85, connecting rod 82, ballstud 8 I, arm 88, and collar 18, in the order named.

A shaft 85 parallel to shaft 64 is mounted for rotation in a pair of spaced bearing sleeves 9G and 81 that are located in a bore 98 extending vertically through a lug 98 which projects upwardly from the bottom of frame bracket 26 (Fig. 6). A gear I88 that meshes with gear 58 is attached to the upper end of shaft 85 by set screws IN. A bracket I82 (Figs. 2 and 6) extending outwardly from the vertical portion of housing I'I beneath bracket portion 28 is provided at its free end with a bore I83 that is coaxial with bore 98 in lug s9 and carries a bearing sleeve I84 within which the lower end of shaft 85 is journaled.

A swinging support member generally denoted by numeral I85 is provided with a pair of parallel bores I86 and I8! anda flange portion I88 forming the side wall of a recess I 88 for housing meshing gears H8 and III which are respectively attached to shaft 85 by set screws H2, and a shaft II8 by corresponding set screws II4. Bore I85 receivesa portion of the shaft 85 for rocking movement of the support about this shaft. The support is restrained against axial movement along shaft 85 by bracket I82 and gear I I8. A collar H5 is attached to shaft II8 by set screws I I8 and cooperates with gear I I I to prevent axial movement of shaft II3 along bore I8l. A wheel I" constituting the second feed wheel or feed cup of this invention is formed integral with or otherwise attached to the lower end of shaft II8 for rotation therewith and preferably has its peripheral surface serrated or otherwise roughened. It will be noted that with the arrangement just described shafts 95 and I I3 are both parallel to shaft 84. It will be further noted that member I85 is rotatable about shaft 85 so that inner feed wheel II'I may be swung toward or away from outer feed wheel II, as desired, to permit the introduction and removal of work and to accomram 8 modate different thicknesses of work, the varloug gears referred to above remaining in meshing engagement, regardless of the relative position of feed wheel I" with respect to feed wheel II Member I is normally and yieldingly urged in a clockwise direction (Fig. 3) about the axis of shaft 85 so that feed wheel II! is yieldingly maintained in close proximity to feed wheel H (Figs. 2, 7 and 9) or in engagement with work between the two feed wheels, by a mechanism that will now be described. This mechanism is best shown in Fig. 2 an includes a stud head I28 that is screwed to one end of a horizontal presser bar I2I, slidable through a bearing sleeve I22 in the front wall of the housing and within an externally threaded regulating sleeve I28. Regulating sleeve I23 extends through a tapped lug I24 in the housing and is provided with a knurled adjusting head I25 at its outer end. Presser bar I2I has a collar I28 secured thereto by set screws I21 and carries a concentric compression spring I28 that bears at one end against the collar and at the other end against the inner end of regulating sleeve I28 for normally biasing stud head I28 toward the left as viewed in the drawings. The tension of spring I28 may be varied by adjusting the sleeve I28. A stop screw I28 projects laterally of member I85 and cooperates with an adjustable stop screw I88 projecting laterally of bearing support 28 and having a lock-nut I3I. These stop screws serve to adjustably maintain the feed wheels 9. predetermined minimum distance apart. Feed wheel III may be manually moved away from feed wheel II, against the action of stud head I28, presser bar I2I, and compression spring I28, by suitable means such as that shown in Fig. 6. This consists of a rod I82 threaded at one end I33 for connection with a tapped hole I34 in member I85 and having a knob or handgrip I35 at its other end.

It will be observed from an examination of the drawings, that as fabrics are fed between and beyond feed wheels II and II! in the course of stitching the same, variations in thickness of the work, due to seams and the like, will result in movement of feed wheel II'I toward and away from feed wheel II, and corresponding movement of member I85 about the'axis of shaft 88 to effect reciprocation 0f presser bar I2I. Reciprocation of presser bar I2I may also be attained, if desired, by manually actuating member I85 through the medium of handgrip. I85 and rod I32. This reciprocation of bar I2I is utilized to actuate a pumping system for lubricating various devices contained within housing II. To this end, we have provided a bell crank I88 having a vertical leg I31, formed with a foot I88 at its lower end bearing against an end surface of collar I26, and a horizontal leg I38 (Fig. 7). Bell crank I35 is pivotally connected to a pin I48 that is maintained in a hollow lug I by a screw I42 (Fig. 3). A connecting link I43 is pivoted to the free end of leg I38 by a screw I44 and is similarly connected by a screw I45 to a piston rod I48 of a reciprocating pump I41 that includes a casing I48 formed with a bracket I48 and that is mounted on a side wall of the machine housing by screw I58 (Fig. 3). Pump I41 is positioned in the lower portion of base 28 which, as was indicated earlier herein, constitutes a sump or reservoir for lubricating oil. Bottom wall 24 of the machine housing is provided with a threaded plug I5I which may be periodically removed for the purpose of draining the oil from the housing. A piston I52 is connected to the calm lower end of piston rod I46 and is normally biased in a downward direction by a compression spring- I66 that is concentric with piston rod I46. The 1 pump is provided with an inlet I54 having a check valve I55 and an outlet I56 having a check' valve I51. The pump inlet is preferably mainhorizontal movement of presser'bar 'I2I toward the left, and due to the force of compression spring I56, lubricating oil previously admitted into the lower portion of the pump casing is discharged through outlet I56 and past discharge check valve I51 and into a discharge line I56. Lubricating oil so transmitted into discharge line I56 flows into a distribution conduit I56 that is provided with a plurality of branch conduits I66 and I6I, each of which contains a suitable wicking material I62 that extends below the free end thereof. lubricate the eccentrics 46 and 64. Distribution conduit I56 also communicates with a horizontal dead end bore I66 which is formed in the casting of housing I1 andwhich serves as an oil gauge cavity that is provided with a transparent closure assembly consisting of a sight glass I64, mounting screws I65, a gasket I66 composed Of an oil resistant material such as a suitable synthetic rubber, and an external bearing ring I61 (Figs. 1, 4 and 8). Also communicating with dead end bore I66 is a second distribution conduit I66 that is provided with a removable plug I66 at its left end and an overflow port I10, as viewed in Figs, 7 and 8. Branch conduits I1I, I12, I16

'and I14, communicating with and depending from distribution conduit- I66, are also provided with wicking material I62 for transmitting oil to ball studs 66, 65, 54 and BI, respectively, whereby these connections are properly lubricated. It

and I66 may be provided with additional branch conduits and wicking material for lubricating other connections within housing I1 as required.

These branch conduits serve to bar I16 to receive in the course of reciprocation during operation of the machine.

Feciprocation is imparted to collar III and therefore to needle bar I16 and needle I16 by devices which will now be described, with particular reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Collar I II is provided with a. laterally projecting arm I64 that is coupled by a link I95 to one end of a lever I66 (Pig. 3) that is formed at its other end with an elongated collar I61 which is secured to a hollow shaft I66 by screws I66 (Fig. 4).

.Shaft I66 is disposed substantially vertically and is mounted for rotation or rocking movement in a pair of bearing sleeves 266 and NI that are retained in suitable openings in lugs 262 and 266, respectively, on the frame by corresponding set screws 264 and 265. A removable plug 266 in bottom wall 24 permits of ready access to shaft I66 and bearing IM. A pitman 261 is pivotally connected at one end to lever I66 by a pin 266,-

which extends through lever I66 and is afllxed thereto bya set screw 266, and at its other end to a crank. 2I6 which is secured to the lower end of drive shaft 66 by one or more set screws 2. With this arrangement rotation of main shaft 66 and crank 2I6 actuates pitman 261 to effect oscillation of lever I66 about hollow shaft I66 and reciprocation of collar I6I and needle bar I16 through the coaction of lever I66, link I66 and arm I64.

A bracket 2I5, secured to support 26 by screws 2I6, carries a throat plate 2I1 that is provided with an aperture 2I6 for the free passage of the end and shank portion of needle I15. A second bracket 2I6 is. formed preferably integral with member I65, as shown, or, if desired, maybe a separate unit rigidly attachedto said member. Connected to bracket 2I6 by screws 226 is a presser foot 22I having a needle passage 222 (Fig. 7) that registers with aperture 2I6 in throat plate 2" (F18. l0).

Needle thread, not shown, from a convenient source of supply, also not shown, is threaded will be apparent that distributiorr conduits I56 through a guide thread tensiomng device 224, a second thread guide 225 (Figs. 1 and 8) and thence through the eyeof the needle I15, in

- the order named. The machine of this invention The stitch-forming devices of this invention include a needle I15 that is removably and ad- 'justably secured to a reciprocatory tubular needle bar I16 by a set screw I11. Needle bar I16 is slidable through a front bearing sleeve I16 that extends through a side wall of housing I1 and through a rear bearing sleeve. I19 that is disi posed in an upwardly projecting lug I66. A collar I6I is fastened to needle bar I16, intermediate the sleeves I16 and I16, by a plurality of set screws I62. Collar I6I is formed with a depending bifurcated member I63 which is slidable along parallel planar surfaces I64 of a guide bar I65 that is horizontally supported at qpposite ends in the aforementioned lug I66 and a similar lug I66.

The modification of the machine of this invention illustrated in Fig. 9 is generally similar to that shown in Fig. 2, the difference residing in a slight alteration in the construction of housing I1 and in the elimination of lug I66. It will be-observed that side wall I61 of Fig. 9 is bored at I66 to receive the rear bearing sleeve I16 for needle bar I16 and is also bored at I66 to receive and support an end of guide bar I65. A threaded cap I66 is screwed into bore I66 and is provided is adapted to feed and form stitches in various materials for various purposes. It is particularly suited for the stitching of the closure portion 226 of abag 221 (Fig. 1).

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages obtainable by the practice of our instantinvention will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art. It is to be borne in mind, however, that various changes in the apparatus herein illustrated and described may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. For example, while a particularly simple and. effective stitch-forming mechanism has been provided, in accordance with the invention, other types of such mechanism of known character, including one or more loop takers, might be substituted. A plurality of loopers, adapted to form an overedge type of stitch might be employed in conjunction with -the other features of the invention.

We claim .1. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially vertically arranged rotary shafts and protect the end thereof 2. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket, and including a pair of substantially vertically arranged rotary shafts carried by and depending from said bracket, cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts, and means for moving one of said shafts and the corresponding feed wheel about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of said shafts, and actuating means for the feedin mechanism including a main shaft substantially parallel to said shafts and having at least a portion thereof disposed within said housing, and devices coupled to and operated by the portion of said main shaft within said housing for imparting rotation to said feedwheels.

3. In a sewing machine, a'housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially vertically arranged rotaryshafts carried by and depending from said bracket, co-

operating feed wheels attached 'to the lower ends of said shafts, and means for normally and yieldingly urging one of said sh-afts in a direction toward the other of saidshafts about an axis that is substantially pa'rallelto the axes of said shafts, and actuating means for the feedin mechanism including a main shaft and devices operated by said mainsh'aft for imparting rotation to the feed wheels.

4. In a sewing machine. a housingcomprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially vertically arranged'rotary'shafts carried by and depending from said bracket, cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts, and means for normally and yieldingly urging one of said shafts in a direction toward the other of said shafts about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of said shafts,

means for limiting movement of said one of said shafts toward said other ofq-said -shafts to maintain said feed wheels a predetermined minimum distance apart, and actuating means for the feedass the action of said first mentioned means, and actuating means including a rotary main shaft substantially parallel to said shafts, a portion of said main shaft extending through a wall of said housing and terminating therein, and devices within said housing coupled to said main shaft and said feeding mechanism for imparting rotation to said feed wheels upon rotation of said main shaft.

6. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supfeed wheels attached to the lower ends of said ing mechanism including a main shaft and deed by said bracket and including a-pair of substantially vertically arranged rotary-shafts carried by and depending from said-bracket, cooperating feed wheels attached tolthe lower ends of said shafts, and means for'normally and yieldingly urging one of said shafts in 'a direction' toward the other of said shafts :about an axis that is substantially parallelto the axes of said shafts, means for limiting movement of "said one of said shafts toward said other of said shafts to l maintain said feed wheels a predetermined mlnimum distance apart, means for moving said one of said shafts in the opposite direction against shafts and rotatable therewith, said shafts comprising a first shaft and a second shaft intermediate said first shaft and said base and movable toward and away from said first shaft about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of saidshafts, cooperating stitch-forming devices located at one side of said base and beneath said bracket and including a reciprocable needle and a looper adapted to engage the needle thread loop and oscillatable in an arcuate path about the axis of one of said shafts, and actuating means including-a main shaft and devices operated by said main shaft for imparting rotation to said feed wheels, reciprocatory movement to said needle and oscillatory movement to said looper.

'7. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including substantially vertically arranged rotary shafts carried by and depending from said bracket and cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts and rotatable therewith, said shafts comprising a first shaft and a second shaft intermediate said first shaft and said base, means for normally and yieldingly urging said second shaft in a direction toward said first shaft about, an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of said shafts, cooperating stitch-forming devices located to one side (if said base and beneath said bracket and including a reciprocatory needle and a looper adapted to engage the needle thread loop and oscillatable in an arcuate path about the axis of said first shaft, and actuating means including a main shaft and devices operated by said main shaft for imparting rotation to said feed wheels, reciprocatory movement to said needle and oscillatory movement to said looper.

8. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially vertically arranged rotary shafts carried by and depending from said bracket and cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts, means for normally and yieldingly urging one of said shafts in a direction toward the other of said shafts about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of said shafts, cooperating stitch-forming means including a reciprocatory needle and an oscillatory looper coaxial with one of said pair of shafts adapted to engage the needle loop, and actuating means including a main shaft and devices operated by said main shaft for imparting rotation to said feed wheels, reciprocation to said needle, and oscillatory movement to said looper.

9. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstandingbaseand a bracket extending lat- I erally of said base. a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially vertically arranged rotary shafts carried by and depending from said bracket and cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts, means for normally and yieldingly urging one of said shafts in a direction toward the other of said shafts about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of said shafts, means for limiting movement of said one of said shafts towards said other of said shafts to maintain said feed wheels a predetermined minimum distance apart, cooperating stitch-forming means including a reciprocatory needle and a looper adapted to engage the needle thread loop and oscillatable in an arcuate path and about an axis that is substantially normal to the path of reciprocation of said needle, and actuating means including a main shaft and devices operated by said main shaft for imparting rotation to said feed wheels, reciprocation to said needle, and oscillatory movement to said looper.

10. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism sup ported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially vertically arranged rotary shafts carried by and depending from said bracket and cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts, means for normally and yieldingly urging one of said shafts toward the other of said shafts about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of said shafts, cooperating stitch-forming means including a re-. ciprocatory needle and an oscillatory looper adapted to engage the needle loop, and actuating means including a main shaft substantially parallel to said shafts and having at least a portion thereof disposed within the housing and devices coupled to and operated by the portion of said main shaft within said housing for imparting rotation to said feed wheels, reciprocation to said needle, and oscillatory movement to said looper;

11. In a sewing machine, a.housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially vertically arranged rotary shafts carried by and depending from said bracket and cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts, means for normally and yieldingly urging one of said shafts in a direction toward the other of said shafts about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of said shafts, means for limiting movement of said one of said shafts towards said other of said shafts to maintain said feed wheels a predetermined minimum distance apart, cooperating stitch-forming means including a reciprocatory needle and a looper adapted to engage the needle thread loop and oscillatable in an arcuate path and about an axis that is substantially normal to the path of reciprocation of said needle, and

actuating means including a main shaft substantially parallel to said shafts and having at'least a portion thereof disposed within the housing and devices coupled to and operated by the portion of said main shaft within said housing for imparting rotation to said feed wheels, reciprocation to said needle and oscillatory movement to said looper.

12. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterallyofsaidbase,afeeding supbodily movable toward and away from the other of said shafts, actuating-means including a main shaft and devices operated by said main shaft for imparting rotation to said feed wheels, and

means responsive to said bodily movement of said one of said shafts for supplying lubricant to said devices.

13. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially vertically "arranged rotary shafts" carried by and depending from said bracket and cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts, one of said shafts being bodily movable toward and away from the other of said shafts, actuating means including a main shaft substantially parallel to said shafts and having at least a portion thereof disposed within said housing and devices coupled to and operated by the portion of said main shaft within said housing for imparting rotation to said feed wheels, and

means responsive to said bodily movement of said one of said shafts for supplying lubricantto said devices.

14. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially vertically arranged rotary shafts carried by and depending from said bracket, cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts, one of said shafts and its corresponding feed wheel being movable toward and away from the other of said shafts and its corresponding feed wheel about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of said shafts, means normally and yieldingly urging said one of said shafts about said axis in a direction toward said other of said shafts, means for moving said one of said shafts in the opposite direction against the action of said means, actuating means including a. main shaft and devices operated by said main shaft for imparting rotation to said feed wheels, and positive displacement pump means responsive to movement of said one of said shafts toward and away from said other of said shafts for supplying lubricant to said devices.

15. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially vertically arranged rotary shafts carried by and depending from said bracket and cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts, one of said shafts being bodily movable toward and away from the other of said shafts, cooperating stitch-forming devices located at one side of the base and beneath the bracket and including a reciprocatory-needle, and actuating means including a main shaft and devices 015- erated by said main shaft for imparting rotation to said feed wheels and reciprocation to said" needle, and pump means responsive to said bodily movement of said one of said shafts for supplying lubricant'to said devices.

16. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding'base and a bracket extending laterally of saidbase, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of 13 substantially vertically arranged rotary shafts carried by and depending from said bracket and cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts, one of said shafts being bodily movable toward and away from the other of said shafts, cooperating stitch-forming devices located at one side of the base and beneath ,l the bracket and including a' reciprocatory needle I I and a looper adapted to engage the needle thread loop and oscillatable in an arcuate path about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of said shafts, and actuating means including a main shaft and devices operated by said 'main shaft for imparting rotation to said feed wheels, reciprocationto said needle and oscillation ,to said looper, and means responsive to said bodily movement of said one of said shafts for supplying lubricant to said devices.

17. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially vertically arranged rotary shafts carried by and depending from said bracket and cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts, means for moving one of said shafts and its corresponding feed wheel about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of said shafts, said means normally and yieldingly urg ng said one of said shafts in a direction toward said other of said shafts, means for moving said one of said shafts in the opposite direction against the act on of said means, cooperating stitch-forming devices located at one side of the base and beneaththe bracket and including a needle and a looper adapted to engage the needle thread loopand oscillatable in an arcuate path about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of said shafts, actuating means ineluding a main shaft substantially parallel to said shafts and having at least a portion thereof disposed within said housing and devices within said housing and operated by the portion of said main shaft within said housing for imparting rotation to said feed wheels and oscillation to said looper, and positive displacement pump means wholly within said housing and responsive to movement of said one of said shafts toward and away from said other of said shafts for supplying lubricant to said devices.

18. In a sewing machine a hollow frame having a lubricant reservoir therein, stitch-forming devices and operating means therefor carried by said frame, work feeding means adapted to feed work in cooperative relation to said stitch-forming means, said work feeding means comprising a pair of feed wheels and operating means therefor, said feed wheels being relatively movable toward and from each other, a pump for distributing lubricant from said reservoir to said operating means, and means responsive to relative movement of said feed wheels toward and from each other for operating said pump.

19. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially parallel vertically arranged rotary shafts carried by and depending from said bracket and cooperating feed wheels attached to the.

lower ends ofv said shafts and rotatable therewith, one of said shafts being movable toward and away from the other of said shafts about an axis parallel to the axes of said shafts, means for normally and yieldingly urging said one of frii for moving said one of said shafts away from the other of said shafts against the action of said means, and actuating means for the feeding mechanism, including a main shaft substantially parallel to said shafts, and devices coupled to said main shaft for imparting rotation to said feed wheels.

20. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially parallel vertically arranged rotary shafts carried by and depending from said bracket and cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts and rotatable therewith, said pair of shafts consisting of a first shaft and a second shaft positioned between said first shaft and said base, means for effecting movement of said second shaft and its corresponding feed wheel toward and away from said first shaft and its corresponding feed wheel while maintaining said shafts in parallel relationship, and actuating means including a rotary main shaft substantially parallel to said shafts, a portion of said main shaft extending through a wall of said housing and terminating therein, and devices within said housing coupled to said portion of said main shaft and said feeding mechanism for imparting rotation to said feed wheels upon rotation of said main shaft.

21. In a sewing machine, a housing comprising an upstanding base and a bracket extending laterally of said base, a feeding mechanism supported by said bracket and including a pair of substantially parallel vertically arranged rotary shafts carried by and depending from said bracket and cooperating feed wheels attached to the lower ends of said shafts and rotatable therewith, said pair of shafts consisting of a first shaft and a second shaft positioned between said first shaft and said base, means for normally and yieldingly urging said second shaft in a direction toward said first shaft about an axis that is substantially parallel to the axes of said shafts, means for moving said second shaft in the opposite direction against the action of said means, cooperating stitch-forming devices located at one side of the base and beneath the bracket and including a. needle reciprocatory in a plane substantially normal to the axes of said shafts, and actuating means including a main shaft substantially parallel to said shafts, and devices coupled to and operated by said main shaft for imparting rotation to said shafts and reciprocation to said needle.

22. In a sewing machine a frame having an upstanding portion with a closed bottom and a laterally projecting overhanging bracket, a roiary actuating shaft vertically fournalled within said upstanding portion with the upper end thereof extending through said frame and profecting therefrom, a handwheel mounted upon the projecting end of said shaft, a pair of feed shafts mounted on said frame parallel with said actuating shaft, at least one of said feed shafts depending from said overhanging bracket, 11 pair of cooperating feed-cups carried by said feedshafts emteriorly of said frame, means operatively connecting said feed-shafts to said actuating shaft for rotation of each thereby in one direction, stitch-forming mechanism including a reciprocatory, horizontally disposed needle-carrying bar, and means disposed within said upstanding portion of the frame for operativclu sass connecting said needle carrying bar to said actuating shaft for actuation thereby.

23. In a sewing machine a frame having an upstanding portion with a closed bottom and'a laterally projecting overhanging bracket, -a rotary actuating shaft vertically fournalled within said upstanding portion with the upper end thereof extending through said frame and profecting therefrom, a handwheel mounted upon theprofecting end of said shaft, apair of feed shafts mounted on said frame parallel with said actuating shaft, at least one of said feed shafts' depending from said overhanging bracket, a pair of cooperating feed-cups carried by said feedshafts ezteriorly of said frame, means operatively connecting said feed-shafts-to said actuating shaft for step-by-step, intermittent rotation of each thereby in one. direction, stitch-forming mechanism including a reciprocatory, horizontally disposed needle-carrying bar, and means disposed within said upstanding Portion of the frame for operatively connecting said needle carrying bar to said actuating shaftfor actuation thereby.

24. In a sewing machine a frame having an ing a reciprocatory, horizontally disposed needlecarrying bar, and means disposed within said upstanding portion of the frame for operatively connecting said needle carrying bar to said actuating shaft for actuation thereby.

25. In a sewing machine a frame having an upstanding portion with a closed bottom and, a laterally protecting overhanging bracket, a rotary actuating shaft vertically fournalled within said upstanding portion with the upper end thereof extending through said frameand profecting therefrom, a handwheel mounted upon the profecting end of said shaft, a pair of feedv shafts mounted on said frame parallel with said actuating shaft, at least one of said feed-shafts depending from said overhanging bracket, a pair of cooperating feed-cups carried by said feedshafts ezteriorly of said frame, means operatively connecting said feed shafts to said actuating shaft for rotation of each thereby in one direction, stitch-forming mechanism including a reciproc'atory, horizontally disposed needle-carrying bar and an oscillatory looper, and means disupstanding portion with- 'a closed bottom and a I laterallyprojecting overhanging bracket, a rotary actuating shaft vertically fournalled within said upstanding portion with the upper end thereof extending through said frame and profecting therefrom, a handwheel mounted upon the projecting end of said shaft, a pair of feed shafts mounted on said frame parallel with said actuating shaft, atleast one of said feed-shafts depending from said overhanging bracket, a pair of cooperating feed-cups carried by said feedshafts exteriorly of said frame, said feed cup .carried by said one of said feed-shafts beingspring urged toward the other of said feed cups but being shiftable away from the latter, means operatively connecting said feed-shafts to said actuating shaft for rotation of each thereby in one direction, stitch-forming mechanism includposed at least in part within said upstanding portion of the frame for operatively connecting said needle carrying bar and said looper to said actuating shaft for, actuation thereby.

' HAROLD J. LE VESCONTE.

ALBERT M. SCHWEDA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile of-this patent or the original patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date 180,225 Gullrandsen et a1. July 25, 1878 2,043,737 Christensen June 9, 1986 40 FOREIGN'PATENTB Number Country Date Germany -a 

